I am looking for any information relating to a new primary diagnosis of TN in the contralateral breast.

My original diagnosis was in 2009 with TN in the left breast. On June 14, 2011, I just had bilateral mx for TN in the right breast. Apparently, it is only 1% per year who has this diagnosis, so I am desparately seeking information.

Thanks to all our wonderful researchers, forum administrators and most valuable members!

TNBC_in_NS aka Helen xoxo

PS: I made a mistake on the 1% - it is not in the world, it is per year! Oops... surgery brain....

I had a TNBC diagnosis in my right axilla area in Aug 2006. As you can see from my signature, I had a lumpectomy, radiation, and chemo.

During my normal mammogram in Oct 2009, the radiologist saw a small (3mm) "calcification" in my left breast, which upon doing a needle biopsy was also TNBC. My oncologist classified it as a new occurance, rather than a recurrance, since it was almost three years after I had finished treatment.

I am BRCA1+, so I think I just grow cancers because of this. I am over a year and a half past my double mastectomy (and no chemo since it was so small), so knock on wood, spit, spit, I hope it's gone for good. Only time will tell, and I am comfortable with the choices my doctor's and I have made along the way.

I really don't think a new primary in the contralateral breast is as rare as your doctor seems to think - it will be interesting who chimes in.

I had a bi-mx at the original diagnosis. The only thing I can tell you is the left (good) breast had 3 descriptions of "precancerous" activity in the path report. No more detail in the path report except wording like atypical hyperplasia, etc. I just have the feeling it would have eventually led to a new primary in the other breast. Whether it would have been TN, is anyone's guess.

I agree with Ann and I am not sure where your source got the figures..here is a study from Canada and these figures are for breast cancer in general. I believe the figures for TNBC are higher..sorry, donít have time to research it.

Abstract

Two to 11% of women diagnosed with breast cancer will develop contralateral breast cancer in their lifetime. Women with a first primary are at a 2Ė6-fold increased risk of developing contralateral breast cancer compared with the risk in the general population of women developing a first primary cancer.

I am a BRCA1+ grandson, son and father of women affected by breast/oc-my daughter inherited mutation from me, and at 36, was dx 2004 TNBC I am a volunteer patient advocate with SAGE Patient Advocates

My friend was just diagnosed via a mammogram in April with ER+ Stage 0 breast cancer. It was a very small in-situ lump that they removed via lumpectomy on her chest wall. She then had an MRI and they found a precancerous cluster in the other breast and removed it by a lumpectomy too. She has lumpy, fibrocystic breasts like I did. I know she's very worried about monitoring and catching anything new early.

Thanks Donna! I know my breasts were lumpy, bumpy, cordy, everyway! It just baffles my mind how these things happen??? I guess after working in the med system for so many years, I never thought it would happen to me... duhhhh....Now two of the same primary's....Just gets to me. I don't blame her for keeping on it! I would too. We know how fast things change.... Keeping her in my prayers too!

I had the dressings removed today but the drains weren't ready to come out yet. Maybe next week. They asked me if I wanted to look in the mirror and I said, "no way, maybe next year some time....." It is a mess but the surgeon was happy with his flap job. There are two areas of concern where the skin turned purple and black... he will follow me for this??? Necrosis I guess....As long as it doesn't leave a hole, I will be fine. I think... I have this thing now for looking at boobs as women walk around? wondering if they are real or make overs??? Isn't that awful... Pat just says "mommmm" that's kind of creepy.... just a bit of black humour there.... xoxo

You are too funny. I was doing the same thing last summer at the beach. I felt like people might be looking at me going those aren't real. I wanted to wear something saying that it wasn't by my choice!

How many drains do you have on each side? I had 3 each and so glad when they were out! Did you have a Tram Flap. How was it? Only look in the mirror when you're ready. It does get better and the scars fade.

There are only two drains, Geez that's enough, both for the breasts. The left nodes were taken in 2009 but the right ones were taken this time around. Won't find out the path on this until next week some time?? I asked him if it was a tram flap but he said "NO"... He didn't give me much information at all.. Just worried that his job was done right.... I guess he is happy, when I look down, it reminds me of the apple dolls....all crinkled and concaved.....what a mess.....May never look in the mirror!!! love ya, h.

PS: Last night it hit us both hard when Pat & I were hugging goodnight. It felt so empty..

I was so full. I had to scrunch down to feel her chest on mine.... that was an aahaa moment....

then it was over... she said "think about recon" but I said NOPE! I'll just scrunch down....

Helen, your apple dolls will look better eventually and you'll get used to the 'remodeling job'. Mine still look like hell but strangely I've come not to mind. I couldn't look in the mirror for a long time, but now I look and think 'whatever!' (channeling my inner 14 year old). Congrats on being done with the surgery. How big was the tumor? What do you plan on doing, treatment-wise?love,d

No word yet on the pathology but I return to the surgeon on the 6th of July and hopefully it is all back then.

Yesterday was the first day that I felt half decent! I had the drains removed on Wed and since then the pockets under my arms have been very swollen most of the day. I found that when I slept, they went down. Now they have gone down quite a bit but by the time evening rolls around, they fill back up. Not as bad though. I slept with ice packs under my pits and arms raised over my head to get relief. Oh my, thank God for yesterday and this am it is not too bad. My ribs are so very sore as well as the upper chest area. The surgeon went right down to the chest wall so I have quite a gap. I did realize yesterday that he had to leave these pockets so that I have range of movement in my arms. Guess all will be well in the end too. The scars are bad but knowing that I have done all I can, makes it ok. I too feel like 14 again.....I am not sure where all the boobs came from after my 40's...???

God Bless you Denise for your sharing and caring as you do here on our foundation!

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